This is our group's presentation on The Future of Learning at Learning 2.010 in Shanghai. We chose to focus on what we think is going to be the future of learning as well as some things that we are doing now (or can start doing tomorrow) to bridge that gap. We also tried to connect our vision of the future with the IB Learner Profile and with the NETS*S.
Technology is increasingly a means for empowering students, a method for communication and socializing, and a ubiquitous, transparent part of their lives . "the "spaces" where students learn are becoming more community-driven, interdisciplinary, & supported by technologies that engage virtual communication." - horizon report Growing a PLN, both as a teacher and as a student is something we want to encourage. Social networking, social bookmarking, finding spaces that allow you to connect with others. LP Attributes Communicators Principled Caring
"More & more, the notion of the school as the seat of practice is changing as learners avail themselves of learning opportunities from other sources" - horizon report. Connecting with experts through Skype, virtual learning environments such as Moodle, SharePoint, StudyWiz LP Attributes: Inquirers, knowledgeable, Open minded
students are not constrained by the limits of the classroom model. They can set their own curriculum and proceed at their own pace. Learning can thus be based on a student’s individual needs, rather than as predefined in a formal class, and based on a student’s schedule, rather than that set by the institution. – downes iTunes U MIT Open Courseware Khan Academy YouTube LP Attributes: Knowledgeable Inquirers
The future of learning requires a means of communication that is cross-platform, accessible on any machine, anywhere around the world. Cloud computing encourages collaboration, so utilizing tools like Google docs & sites will be increasingly important
The process, simply, is that learners will be presented with learning resources according to their interests, aptitudes, educational levels, and other factors (including employer factor and social factors) while they are in the process of working at their job, engaging in a hobby, or playing a game. Steven Downes (original in1998) Influenced by the mindset list entertainment based, not to much history, the here and now-relevance to them, We don't know what is happening in the brain in terms of learning----yet--but we know it's motivation that has a big impact on the flow of learning and interest levels to engage our students Skills developed through these types of games electrocity.co.nz mangahigh explorelearning moon base alpha stopdisastersgame.org civic mirror virtonomics world without oil develop choice, subject skills, problem solving LP Attributes Inquirers Thinkers Risk Takers
Students are not passive but are active in creating, The ways we design learning experiences must reflect the growing importance of innovation and creativity as professional skills. Innovation and creativity must not be linked only to arts subjects, either; these skills are equally important in scientific inquiry, entrepreneurship, and other areas as well. The horizon report (2009) Creativity across all areas of the curriculum tools such as podcasts, videos, portfolio, multimedia, visual literacy, from an early age Develop thinking, problem solving, communication skills from kindergarten onwards Netts standards address this but Nelson put it more succinctly LP Attributes: Risk Takers Reflective Communicators Open Minded
In the end, what will be evaluated is a complex portfolio of a student’s online activities…. The recommendation of one person by another as a peer will, in the end, become the standard of educational value, not the grade or degree. - downes LP Attributes Balanced Reflective Communicators
This will be accomplished, in part or in whole, by examining the digital footprint of students: what have they said, what have they read, what have they created… LP Attributes Principled Communicators Caring Balanced